Freshman Jonathan Grey Earns NCAA Regional Berth

ATLANTA – Georgia State freshman men’s golfer Jonathan Grey earned one of 45 individual spots into the NCAA Regionals on Monday night as the six regional sites were announced.

Grey will compete at the University Club in Baton Rouge, La., on May 16-18 looking to advance to the NCAA National Championship scheduled for later this month (May 28-June 2) at the Capital City Club – Crabapple in nearby Alpharetta.

Grey, who was named Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year and all-conference first team honors last week, gives the Panthers a representative in the NCAA Regionals for the first time since Tom Sherreard made an individual appearance in 2010.

Grey began his collegiate career in perfect fashion, winning his first two events; the Mason Rudolph Championship and Brickyard Collegiate, before picking up a third win at the Mission Inn Spring Spectacular in the spring.

The Kent, England native earned 11 top 25 finishes in 12 events, compiling a 72.20 scoring average and a career-low 67 on three occasions. His scoring average is the sixth lowest in a single season in school history, while compiling 19 of 35 rounds at par or better this year.

“Jonathan continued to amaze me all year,” commented head coach Joe Inman. “He has worked hard to get better and I think this year is just the start for him.

“Obviously, it is bitter sweet for him to be going to the NCAA Regionals without the team, but hopefully we can use this experience to make him better and make the team better next season.”

Grey also scored a runner-up finish at the Old Waverly Championship and was fourth at the Sun Belt Conference Championship, earning all-tournament team honors.

The only other Panthers to win three events in a career are Joel Sjoholm and Mark Haastrup, both who are now playing professionally. Sjoholm was the first-ever First Team All-American in any sport in Panther history.

For Grey to advance out of the NCAA Regionals, he must finish as the top golfer whose team does not advance to the NCAA Championship. Five teams from each regional advance to the NCAA Championship which begins May 28. Among the teams in Baton Rouge are Alabama, Florida and LSU.